The 21stAnnual
Mardi GrasSpeech Carnivale
March 1, 2014
/The Shrewsbury High School Speech & Debate Team cordially invite you to the 21st annual Mardi Gras Speech Carnivale, to be held at Shrewsbury High School,
64 Holden Street, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
This tournament has been sanctioned by the MSDL as a state-qualifier.
WE DO OFFER PUBLIC FORUM & L/D DEBATE
The Mardi Gras Speech Carnivale is a DOUBLE-ENTRY TOURNAMENT. Students that double-enter will be responsible for competing in each of their two events during the time allotted for each round of competition. There will be three preliminary rounds in all speech events and a final round in all events where more than one section is scheduled for each of the three preliminary rounds. In larger speech events there may be elimination rounds (Quarters, Semis). Debate will follow a separate schedule with rounds determined based on the number of entries.
Students may enter up to 2 of the 22 events listed below subject to the restrictions described
following the list of events and indicated by the corresponding numbers next to each event.
(No restrictions) / MFL Events
(Entry restrictions apply) / Special Tournament Events
(No restrictions)
Dramatic Interpretation
Humorous Interpretation
Prose Reading
Poetry Reading
Play Reading
Children's Literature
Novice Reading
Original Oratory
Declamation
Duo Interpretation
Impromptu / Congressional Debate 1
Group Discussion 1
Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking 2
Novice Extemporaneous Speaking 2
Radio Broadcasting 2
Multiple Reading3
Public Forum Debate4
Lincoln Douglas Debate 4
(one OPEN Division in each debate) / Team Improv
Lyrical Poetry
Original Poetry
Restrictions
1.Students in Debate, Congress and Group Discussion may not double-enter.
2.Students may not enter more than one draw event.
(Although students may enter one draw event and one non-draw event.)
The draw events are:
- Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking
- Novice Extemporaneous Speaking
- Radio Broadcasting
3.Students may "triple-enter" in Multiple.
However, Multiple members may not “triple-enter” if they are entered in any draw event.
4. Schools may only enter eight (8) PFD Teams & six (6) LD entries but can enter a waiting list.
Students in Debate may not double-enter.
ALSO, STUDENTS MAY NOT USE THE SAME CUTTING IN DIFFERENT EVENTS
Other Important Category-Specific Information
1.Group Discussion:
The overall topic area will be “The United States Constitution”
Specific topics announced each round
2. Congress legislation:
Bills and Resolutions as distributed by the MSDL.
Please visit massforensics.orgor tabroom.comfor posted legislation.
Legislation inquiries should be addressed to MSDL Congress Chair, Paul Wexler.
3.Public Forum Debate:
The March NFL Topic will be used:
Resolved: Resolved: Single-gender classrooms would improve the quality of education in American public schools.
4.Lincoln Douglas Debate:
The March/April NFL Topic will be used:
Resolved: Resolved: Placing political conditions on humanitarian aid to foreign countries is unjust.
Although schools are limited to eight (PFD) & six (LD) entries in debatedue to space concerns, waitlist entries are encouraged. Notification of acceptance of waitlisted entries will be made by email on or before Thursday February 27, 2014. Please enter judges calculating your wait-list entries. If we cannot accept the entries, those judges will be released without penalty.
Individual Awards and Sweepstakes
Individual awards will be presented to ALL finalists in each category. In addition, Speaker Award will be given in Debate. Novice awards will be presented to the top finishing first-year speaker in each event (other than Novice Extemporaneous Speaking, Novice Reading and Multiple). Remember to update your novice speakers on your massforensics.org team roster!
Sweepstakes awards will be calculated using a "Lucky 13" formula. Individual scores for the top ten entries in ten different events will be added together with the next top three entries in any event(s). A reverse scale point system will be used:
RANK / SWEEPSTAKES POINTS1 / 5
2 / 4
3 / 3
4, 5, 6 or lower / 1
Sweepstakes awards will be presented to the top twelve teams using this Lucky 13 formula. In addition, a special 13th team award will be presented. The 13th award is the Kitty Viscardi Memorial Novice Award. Kitty Viscardi was the long time coach at Shrewsbury and for many years we were lucky to have Kitty personally present the award. This is a revolving plaque and will be presented to the team with the highest total of sweepstakes points earned by all novice competitors at this year’s tournament when added to the total of the novice speakers’ sweepstakes points earned by that team at all previous Mardi Gras Speech Carnivales. Once a team has won the award that team’s points revert to zero. Three presentations must pass before a team can win the award again although points continue to be earned. Points can add up quickly over a few years!
VOTE FOR THE KING AND QUEEN OF THIS YEAR’S MARDI GRAS
This popular tradition continues. With the Purchase of a Ballot (only 25 cents) individuals will receive a genuine Carnivale Coin. The winning King & Queen will be crowned at the awards ceremony as last year’s Mardi Gras royalty relinquish the throne.
MARDI GRAS MERCHANDISE
In order to make the Awards Ceremony even more festive and exciting, Mardi Gras hats, masks, etc. will be sold throughout the day at very reasonable prices.
Show your Big Easy Spirit! At the Awards Ceremony, the “Spirit of Mardi Gras” will choose a team for this year’s “Spirit” recognition.
Registration Instructions
1.ALL REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED ON-LINE AT or If you do not have an account, follow the instructions at the website. Indicate all first year (novice) speakers on your team roster.
2.The registration fee is $5.00 per Speech entry. Duo Interpretation, Team Improv and Multiple each count as one entry. PFD & LD registration fee is $10.00 per entry.
3.You are required to bring one judge for every five speech entries, or fraction thereof. You are required to bring one judge for every two debate entries, or fraction thereof. Please note that judges may be used for Public Forum Debate even if you do not enter that event and judges listed for Public Forum (and LD) may be used in Speech events.
(There are no hired judges – There is a $50.00 missing judge fine)
4.Registration:
Closes with fees set on Wednesday, February 26th at 5PM.
Schools must register on-line at or
Drops without a fine may be made up to 5PM Thursday. Drops received after this time will be assessed a $5.00 nuisance fee in addition to the regular entry fee.
TEXT (or call if necessary) Drops (or no drops!) prior to arrival on Saturday morning - (508) 523-2113.
This number will ONLY be available Saturday 7:00 to 7:30AM
Tentative Tournament Time Schedule (subject to change )
REGISTRATION7:30-7:45 (please plan to arrive no later than 7:45AM!)
JUDGES MEETING (mandatory)8:15
TIME SLOT ONE9:00
TIME SLOT TWO 10:15
TIME SLOT THREE11:30
TIME SLOT FOUR12:45
TIME SLOT FIVE2:00
QUARTERFINALS (some events)1:30
SEMIFINALS (some events)3:00
FINAL ROUNDS4:00
AWARDS7:00
DRAW WILL BE 30 MINS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME SLOT OF THE EVENT.
CONGRESS WILL HAVE TWO SESSIONS (9:00-11:45AM and 12:30-3:00PM) FOLLWED BY A FINAL SUPERSESSION.
DEBATE WILL FOLLOW A SEPARATE SCHEDULE WITH AT LEAST 4 ROUNDS.
Food
An excellent selection of food will be available throughout the day. You will note that there is no time slot scheduled for lunch. Students and Judges should have ample time to eat between competition rounds and off rounds as well as after preliminary rounds.
Standard rules of professionalism and etiquette will be abided by at all times
We look forward to seeing you all at the 21stannual Mardi Gras Speech Carnivale! If you have any questions concerning the information in this invitation, please feel free to email Marc.
Very truly yours,
SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH TEAM
Marc RischitelliMargaret Gach & Roy Masha
Tournament DirectorStudent Tournament Hosts
S.H.S. Mardi Gras Speech Carnivale
Special Event Descriptions
Team Improv (NOTE: Unlike other tournaments, this is a two-person event)
This category is for a pair (2) of contestants from the same team. The team will draw at random 2 characters and 2 scenes. After only momentary preparation time, the pair begins a presentation in which each contestant portrays one of the 2 characters drawn. The characters must begin together in one scene and progress creatively from that scene into the second scene. The maximum time for completing the improv is five minutes. The improvisation should be humorous and entertaining. The team is judged on their ability to create and maintain their characters, as well as their interaction and creativity in bringing the characters from one scene into the next.
For example, Mary and Joe are a team. Mary draws the character of a pregnant woman. Joe draws the character of a priest. They draw the first scene - an elevator and the second scene - a deserted island. Mary and Joe begin. The pregnant woman and the priest are in an elevator which happens to be in an airport. They discover they are on the same flight to Bermuda. The plane goes down somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean and they eventually make their way to a deserted island.
Maximum Time: 5 minutes (30 seconds grace - no minimum time requirement)
Lyrical Poetry (reading event)
The contestant presents a prepared program derived from the lyrics of one or more songs. The program may be arranged from one group/musician or as a theme presentation from various artists. Singing is NOT allowed.
Maximum Time: 6 minutes (30 seconds grace - no minimum time requirement)
Original Poetry (reading event)
The contestant presents a prepared program of his/her original poetry. The work must be that of the student. Unlike Natick’s Holly Festival, Judges, Coaches & Alumni are NOT allowed to enter this event.
Maximum Time: 6 minutes (30 seconds grace - no minimum time requirement)
DIRECTIONS TO SHREWSBURY HIGH SCHOOL64 Holden Street, Shrewsbury MA 01545
From Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts: Follow Route 128 North to Mass Pike West to Exit 11A (Route 495). Proceed on Route 495 North to Route 290 West. Follow Route 290 West to Exit 22, “Main Street Shrewsbury”. At the end of the exit ramp, TURN RIGHT. Stay in the right hand lane – to an immediate traffic light. Turn right at the set of lights, onto Holden Street. You will continue on Holden Street approximately one-quarter mile – the entrance to the High School will be straight ahead – up the hill to the school building. The bus drop-off will be your second right.
From Northeastern Massachusetts: Follow Route 495 South to Route 290 West. Take Exit 22, “Main Street Shrewsbury”. At the end of the exit ramp, TURN RIGHT. Stay in the right hand lane – to an immediate traffic light. Turn right at the set of lights, onto Holden Street. You will continue on Holden Street approximately one-quarter mile – the entrance to the High School will be straight ahead – up the hill to the school building. The bus drop-off will be your second right.
From Western Massachusetts: Follow the Mass Pike to Exit 10 in Auburn, Route 290 East. Continue on 290 East to the “Main Street Shrewsbury” Exit (Exit 22). Turn left at the end of the exit ramp. Turn Right at the next traffic light onto Holden Street. You will continue on Holden Street approximately one-quarter mile – the entrance to the High School will be straight ahead – up the hill to the school building. The bus drop-off will be your second right.
From Northwestern Massachusetts: Follow Route 2 to 190 South to 290 East in Worcester. Continue on 290 East to the Main Street Shrewsbury Exit (Exit 22). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right. Stay in the right hand land – to an immediate traffic light. Turn right at the set of lights, onto Holden Street. You will continue on Holden Street approximately one-quarter mile – the entrance to the High School will be straight ahead - up the hill to the school building. The bus drop-off will be your second right.
BUSES SHOULD PARK IN THE UPPER LOT. VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO IDLE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING!
SAT. AM “DROP” (or no drops) TEXT # (active 7:00 AM – 7:30AM)
Please TEXT PRIOR to arrival – 508-523-2113.